Here is the statement of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. on GMA Network's motion for Temporary Restraining Order:

GMA-7 has filed with the Regional Trial Court an application for a temporary restraining order to stop ABS-CBN from airing any news report that implicates GMA in the manipulation of TV ratings in Bacolod. The application was filed in the complaint for libel filed where GMA alleged that ABS-CBN lied and maliciously reported that GMA was identified by AGB as the network involved in the ratings manipulation.

The people have a right to know and, as a news organization, ABS-CBN has a right and responsibility to deliver the news. GMA’s application for a temporary restraining order to stop news reporting on the issue on cheating in the ratings is an attempt to stifle the freedom of the press. This is unconstitutional. ABS-CBN will fight and stand up for its right to deliver the news and for the right of the people to know the truth.’

Besides, if our witnesses are not afraid to come out and declare the truth, why should we be?

ABS-CBN has a responsibility to the many witnesses who have come forward to tell the truth. These are ordinary people with livelihoods to keep and mouths to feed but they had the courage to come out and admit their role in a network’s efforts to cheat in the ratings. They have no vested interests in this, but their values and deep sense of right and wrong compel them to come clean.

We will do everything we can to make sure our witnesses are not silenced and that the public eventually gets the whole uncensored truth.

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com